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Thursday, December 15, 2016

UFO's Why?

I found myself with a little spare time this week and nothing to sew. Can you believe it? There's plenty of projects I'd like to start but I know they would end up as UFO's due to my limited sewing time. So I started digging through my UFO boxes to find something that could finished in an afternoon. This one was the best I could do. Why did I start this? I'm not a fan of black. The fabrics are leftovers from a quilt I made for my youngest son. He picked all the fabrics, and he did a pretty good job of picking ones I would never buy. But I have them in my stash so might as well try to use them, right? Well that's what I thought. The problem is, if I don't like it the chances of me finishing it isn't good. So this one even though it was super simple to make quickly became a UFO.

The pattern is called Snow-Kissed Star by Konda Luckau. It's a free pattern over at McCall's Quilting Magazine. Wanna make one? Just click right here. You can see why I chose this pattern, her version is so pretty. Love the colors! Mine...not so much. TIP if you make this quilt. The pattern tells you to make your strip pieced blocks and cut them half diagonally. DON'T DO THIS. It's a bear to sew them to the background fabric without stretching them out of shape. Where she tells you to cut the stripped piece block you draw a line on the background fabric in that direction, sew a quarter inch away from the line on both sides, then cut on the suggested line. You know that fast and easy way to make Half Square Triangles.

So I thought there has to be a way to make me love this quilt, maybe adding a touch of WOW somehow. After much thought and advice from other online quilters in a facebook group adding the red fabric is the quickest and easiest thing I could come up with. Do I like it now? NO. But It will make a nice quilt for someone. For nowit will go in the drawer marked "unloved". Hopefully someday someone will need a quilt, and fall madly in love with this dark unloved eyesore. Now I know many of you like the black and whites, and that's great, it's just not my pallet of choice. The only thing I really like about this quilt is the the striped fabric I chose for the binding. I think it's going to add a nice touch to the finished quilt.

A pieced backing was made with some of the black and white fabrics but I forgot to picture them. The quilt top, backing and binding are all tucked away in drawer waiting for that special someone to love them.

14 comments:

I know how you feel about a certain color, the color that puts things in my UFO pile is purple. I love your quilt but I'm one of those people who think black and white quilts are pretty. The touch of red is perfect and the striped binding was a wonderful choice. Thanks for the link, I'm going over to get the instructions.

I understand aversion to some color groups, but this turned into a really striking and modern quilt. It would make a great wall hanging with the right modern decor. Maybe sell it? It could finance fabric you love more - lol.

No doubt in my mind that someone will fall in love with this quilt. The pop of red was exactly what it needed to become beautiful. But I sure understand how not liking the colors can help a quilt become a UFO. I've had the same thing happen.

I'm having heart palpitations thinking about this top being in a drawer marked 'unloved'! The colors definitely aren't what you work with, but I think you did a great job. The red put it over the top and the binding is perfect. It's a lovely quilt!

I have to agree with Beth's comment...this is actually a fantastic quilt, now that the red has been added! I'm so glad you shared this post - it's a great lesson in design! Also, I hadn't seen that pattern before and would like to try it.

It is so hard to finish those projects we don't love. Give yourself a pat for getting the star that far. The pop of red really brightens it up. Someone is going to get a great gift when you find that right person. Maybe your son would like a repeat in a different pattern?

Very satisfying to finish a UFO, particularly one like this that you really don't like. Looking at your original photo I could absolutely see why you didn't like it - black and white, stark and "flat". But then your last photo was a different story! The red border added zing and brought the quilt some colour and interest - but the red centre square completely MADE the quilt go WOW. Magic! Don't let your quilt linger in a drawer, finish it and gift it.

you know, I think it looks quite striking! And they say that black and white are really good for newborn babies: they see it the best. And if you quilted it in a red thread it would add just a bit more color and would be really fun! I think it's a great little quilt! Hugs, H in Healdsburg